Showing 26 results for Ashraf
Seyyed Nematollah Seify, Ehsanollah Ghaznavi Rad, Ashraf Zamani, Mohammad Yosef Alikhani, Mohammad Rafiei, Soleyman Zand, Hamid Abtahi,
Volume 18, Issue 12 (3-2016)
Abstract
Background: Listeria monocytogenes is one of the most important causes of abortion and postpartum infection in newborns. Because of the importance of L . monocytogenes in the health of pregnant women and newborn babies, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of these bacteria in pregnant women and to compare the level of prevalence between women with a history of abortion and with no a history of abortion.
Materials and Methods: In this study, 540 samples of pregnant women were provided from Arak Taleghani hospital. The samples were cultured in enrichment media, then L .monocytogenesis was isolated in specific media.
Results: Of clinical samples, 14 cases had Listeria monocytogenes. Of these samples, 8 cases in women had a history of abortion, while women with no history of abortion were 6 Most cases of positive culture were related to the age of 25 to 34 years, including 7 cases, the lowest cases were 35 to 44 years old including 3 women and 4 women were between 17 and 24 years old.
Conclusion: The study showed that Listeria monocytogenes can cause infection in pregnant women. The use of Phenotypic methods and specific media can apparently isolate listeria monocytogenes from healthy pregnant women.
Farzaneh Rooshenas, Mahboobeh Ashrafi, Saeed Nazifi, Mahmoud Aminlari, Sara Talebanzadeh,
Volume 21, Issue 5 (10-2018)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Medicinal plants possessing antioxidant activity may reduce oxidative stress and improve the functions of various organs that affected by hyperglycemia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of saffron aqueous extract (SAE) administration to diabetic rats by measuring the oxidative stress parameters and important biochemical enzymes in liver tissue.
Materials and Methods: 72 hours after STZ administration (60 mg/kg body weight), the animals with fasting blood glucose over of 250 mg/dl were considered to be diabetic rats and experimental groups were: control (1), control drug (2), diabetes (3) and diabetes drug (4). The treatment was started on the 7th day after STZ injection with i.p injection of SAE (200mg/kg body weight), five doses and weekly to groups 2 and 4. At the end of the experimental period, biochemical factors were measured after bleeding and harvesting of tissues.
Findings: Results indicated the perturbation in the activity of important liver enzymes in diabetic group (3) and SAE adjusted and normalized their levels activity. In addition, SAE with increases in the activity of antioxidant enzymes alleviated diabetes induced oxidative stress and thus reduced MDA levels in group 4 compared to group 3.
Conclusion: SAE is not only useful in the controlling of blood glucose, but also has antioxidant potential to protect the liver tissue of diabetic rats against damage caused by hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress.
Ashraf Allahyar, Ali Zeinali,
Volume 23, Issue 2 (June & July 2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in children and adolescents. Due to its specific problems, it can sometimes lead to substance abuse in adolescents through reduced health and increased depression and stress. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship of substance abuse with depression and stress in diabetic adolescents mediated by conflict resolution and problem solving skills.
Methods & Materials: This is a descriptive/correlational study. The study population consisted of all diabetic adolescent members of Urmia Diabetes Association and those referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital and diabetes specialists in Urmia city in Spring 2019. Of these, 206 were selected using a purposive sampling method. data collection tools were Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory - Adolescents Version (Miller & Lazowski, 2001), Beck’s Depression Inventory (Beck et al, 1988), The Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen et al, 1983), Problem Solving Inventory (Heppner & Petersen, 1982) and Conflict Resolution Style Inventory (Weeks, 1994). Collected data were analyzed by using Pearson correlation test and structural equation modeling in SPSS and LISREL applications.
Ethical Considerations All ethical principles were considered in this study,.
Results: Depression and stress directly had a negative and significant effect on conflict resolution and problem solving skills, but had no significant effect on substance abuse. Conflict resolution and problem solving skills directly had a negative and significant effect on substance abuse. Moreover, depression and stress indirectly had a significant effect on substance abuse through medication by conflict resolution and problem solving skills (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Depression and stress can lead to increased substance abuse in diabetic adolescents by decreasing conflict resolution and problem solving skills. Therefore, in order to reduce substance abuse in these patients, it is recommended to hold training workshops to reduce their depression and stress and improve conflict resolution and problem solving skills.
Tahere Azimi, Malihe Bagheri, Mahdi Pariyan, Behzad Khansarinejad, Ashraf Zamani, Mahdieh Mondanizadeh,
Volume 23, Issue 3 (August & September 2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Cervical Cancer (CC) is the third most common malignancy in the women, the main cause of which is human papillomavirus (HPV). Both E6 and E7 oncogenes of the virus play an important role in its tumorigenesis. Today, methods available for screening CC are not capable of detecting the disease at an early stage. Therefore, it is important to identify new biomarkers for early detection of this cancer. For this purpose, in the present study, miRNAs targeting the two oncogenes E6 and E7 of human papillomavirus (types 16 and 18) were studied in CC by bioinformatics.
Methods & Materials: First, using the NCBI database, the E6 and E7 gene sequences were obtained for both human papillomavirus types 16 and 18. Then, using the miRBase and RNA22 bioinformatics databases, the most appropriate targeting miRNAs for these genes were selected.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences.
Results: Based on the P obtained from bioinformatics databases, miRNA including miR-92a-5p (P=7.51e-2), miR-195-3p (P=2.24e-1), miR-34a-5p (P=2.73e-1) and miR-155-5p (P=4.95e-2) were introduced for the two genes E6 and E7.
Conclusion: Results from bioinformatics studies revealed that of the four miRNAs identified, miR-155-5p and miR-92a-5p are probably the targeting miRNAs specific for the E6 and E7 genes, respectively. Therefore, it seems that these miRNAs can be a suitable candidate for in vitro studies in CC patients.
Nooshin Dalili, Fatemeh Pour-Rezagholi, Maryam Mousavi, Morvarid Alinezhad, Sadra Ashrafi,
Volume 25, Issue 5 (December & January 2022)
Abstract
Introduction: Years after the first successful kidney transplant, there are still many questions about the best immunosuppression regimen for these patients. Various studies have shown that long-term use of calcineurin inhibitor drugs can be associated with chronic nephrotoxicity and lead to irreversible damage to the transplanted organ. Therefore, the goal is to use immunosuppressive drugs and reduce the dose of calcineurin inhibitors as much as possible without increasing the risk of transplant rejection. This study aims to compare renal function, the rate of viral infections, and the occurrence of rejection after kidney transplantation in patients on two different treatment regimens including everolimus plus a low dose of calcineurin inhibitor against the standard protocol of calcineurin inhibitor along with mycophenolic acid in 60 kidney transplanted patients.
Methods: This clinical trial was conducted at Labbafinejad Hospital in Tehran between 2018-2019 on 60 kidney transplant patients aged 18 to 65 years and for 12 months.
Results: In terms of kidney function status based on GFR, except for the first month (P=0.02), there was no significant difference between the two groups in any of the time periods (P>0.05). Also, there was no statistically significant difference between the two study groups in terms of hospitalization length after transplantation and re-hospitalization during the study (P>0.05).
Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the everolimus regimen and low dose of calcineurin inhibitor can be used de novo in transplant patients without increasing the risk of rejection in them and at the same time it may be able to reduce the incidence of viral infections after transplantation.
Davoud Shamsi, Mohsen Mohammadian Saravi, Khalil Ali Mohamadzadeh, Azadeh Ashrafi,
Volume 28, Issue 2 (4-2025)
Abstract
Introduction: Good governance, as one of the fundamental concepts in healthcare system management, plays a key role in enhancing the efficiency, effectiveness, and equity of healthcare services. This concept, Emphasizing principles such as transparency, accountability, participation, and legality, has been considered as a framework for improving policymaking and management in Iran's healthcare system.
This study conducted in 2024 aimed to design and present a model of good governance in the healthcare system using a mixed approach of thematic analysis and Partial Least Squares (PLS) method.
Methods: The research method included both qualitative and quantitative components. The qualitative phase, involved managers, health policy experts, specialists from the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, and academic scholars. Sampling was done using purposive and snowball sampling methods, with 17 participants selected until theoretical saturation was reached. In the quantitative phase, the Partial Least Squares (PLS) method was used for model fitting. The statistical population for this section included all experts and managers in Iran's healthcare sector, with a minimum sample size of 384 determined based on Cochran's formula.
Results: The results of thematic analysis of the qualitative data and model fitting showed that the final good governance model in the healthcare system consists of seven main dimensions: effectiveness, efficiency, equity, transparency and accountability, participation, legality, and leadership. Each dimension comprised specific components, and the importance of each was confirmed in strengthening good governance.
Conclusions: This study presents a comprehensive good governance model for the healthcare system, offering a framework for improving policymaking, management, and performance in this sector. The proposed model can be used as a strategic decision-making tool and improving management structures.
